About Me

I worked at the World's Biggest Bookstore in Toronto for 10 years, until it closed in 2014. During my time there I planned themed endcaps and did author interview displays.
From September 2010 until December 2012 I contributed book reviews and New Author Spotlight posts to SF Signal. From August 2013 to May 2014 I did a Recommended Reading with Professionals column there once or twice a month.
I've got a BA in Medieval History from the University of Toronto.
I'm a long time crafter and have been card crafting for a few years, first using photos I took and now using lots of stamps and fun embellishments.
Contact me at:
jessica.strider (at) gmail (dot) com

Book Review Requests

I'm trying to reduce the number of physical books cluttering my bookshelves and floor, so I won't be accepting many new review books. I'm also being much harsher than usual when reading, giving books about 50 pages to wow me before I move on to the next one.

If I finish the book I will review it. Positive reviews are posted around the web (Amazon.ca, Goodreads, and LibraryThing). Negative reviews are only posted to my blog.

Wednesday, 17 February 2010

For those of you in Toronto who'd like to meet Karl Schroeder, get one-on-one help with a manuscript (based on 5000 words), or attend a workshop on writing, here's your chance! And here's his third post, Which kind of writer are you - part 1.

From the Toronto Public Library's website explaining the details of the program:

Science Fiction and Foresight: Is it true that science fiction is about predicting the future? Karl Schroeder discusses when science fiction and foresight are the same and when they are different.Saturday, March 6, 7-8:15 pmToronto Reference LibraryBeeton Auditorium

Integrating Idea and StoryEveryone has ideas for a story, but very few people actually get a story completely written. This workshop will assist aspiring science fiction writers by clarifying the process of developing the story from the idea.Thursday, March 25, 5:30–8:15 pmLillian H. Smith Branch Lower Level

Short Story Structure and PlotAttendees will learn how to identify and correct story weaknesses and sharpen their writing skills, while writing short science fiction and fantasy stories.Thursday, April 15, 5:30-8:15 pmLillian H. Smith Branch Lower Level

Wrangling Your Novel Into ShapeThis workshop deals with the process of creating science fiction, how writers can identify and correct their mistakes, when to rewrite and when to stop.Thursday, May 20, 5:30–8:15 pmLillian H. Smith BranchLower Level